You will be training your puppy from the moment you bring him home and start to house train. Puppies start learning from birth. Responsible breeders encourage handling and socialization from birth. Some training can begin as soon as the puppy can open his eyes and walk. Young puppies have short attention spans but expect them to begin to learn simple obedience commands such as Sit, Down and Stay', from as young as 7 to 8 weeks of age.

Formal dog training has traditionally been delayed until 6 months of age. Actually this juvenile stage is a very poor time to start. The dog is beginning to solidify adult behavioral patterns, dominance behavior is beginning to emerge, and behaviors learned in puppyhood may need to be changed.

When training is started at 7 to 8 weeks use methods that rely on positive reinforcement and gentle teaching. Puppies have short attention spans, so training sessions should be brief, but daily. Puppies can be taught to sit, down, and stand using a method called food-lure training. The use of food treats is to entice the dog to follow his nose into the proper positions for sit, down, stand, and stay.